THE CHAFFINCH. 93 



base of feathers, sap-green at tips, changing to bright sap-green on the rump and 

 iipper tail-coverts ; lesser and median wing-coverts white ; greater coverts black 

 tipped with white ; quills smoky brown, with narrow dull yellow edges to the 

 outer webs ; two central tail-feathers smoky-brown, remaining feathers blue-black ; 

 the two outer feathers with broad wedge-shaped white patches, that on the outer- 

 most one occupying fully half the feather ; sides of head, throat, breast, and front 

 of belly vinous chestnut, lower belly and flanks somewhat duller and greyer ; under 

 tail-coverts white ; beak leaden blackish, paler beneath ; feet dull brown ; iris 

 hazel. After the autumn moult the feathers of the crown have brownish edges, 

 the under parts are slightly paler and the beak is flesh-brown, with dark tip. The 

 female has the crown and back buffish brown, and the under parts buffish-grey ; it 

 also appears to be slightly smaller than the male. The young in first plumage 

 are similar to the female, but rather paler : in the first year they do not attain 

 their full beauty, the crown being brownish with two dusky longitudinal stripes ; 

 indeed the full sheeny lustre is not acquired until about the third year ; the 

 median wing-coverts also are more exposed in old birds, making the white belt 

 across the wing broader.* 



Like the British Buntings, the Chaffinch both runs and hops ; on the ground 

 it almost invariably either runs or walks ; also during the summer months it is 

 almost exclusively insectivorous ; like the Buntings again, it accustoms its young 

 to taking food from its beak at a much earlier age than do the other typical 

 Finches : its position therefore should certainly be at the end of the Subfamily of 

 which it is the type, and immediately before the Ember izincc. It has even been 

 asserted that the Chaffinch pairs on the wing, but this fable is based upon its 

 violent and impetuous courtship, in which respect it corresponds with the members 

 of the New World genus Sycalis, both sexes sometimes falling to the earth strug- 

 gling desperately. No sooner, however, is the hen Chaffinch once subdued than 

 she is treated with gentleness and affection : pairing frequently takes place on the 

 earth, but sometimes on a branch. 



In the autumn there is a considerable immigration of Chaffinches, chiefly on 

 the eastern and south-eastern coasts of England, and it would seem that there is 

 a return migration early in the year, as this species passes over Heligoland both 

 in September and March. 



Early in February the Chaffinch begins to practise his song ; at first this 

 bears no resemblance to the full powerful melody which is eventually developed ; 



* I have not seen these points noted in an}- description, indeed they may pass for variations to those who 

 have not reared Chaffinches from the nest ; they are also overlooked by judges at shows, who often give a prize 

 to birds of the year (not in full adult colouring). 



